Press Releases
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats File NDAA Amendment Prohibiting U.S. Funds from Supporting Israeli Annexation of the West Bank
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prohibit Israel from using U.S. security assistance funds to unilaterally annex … Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Van Hollen and Toomey’s Hong Kong Autonomy Act Headed to Trump’s Desk for Signature
Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to defend Hong Kong’s autonomy against increasingly brazen interference from the Chinese Community Party. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act now awaits President Trump’s signature. “Today’s passage of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act makes it clear that we will not stand by as China seeks to crush freedom, human rights, and democracy in Hong Kong. The government of … Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Colleagues Request Funds for the Developmental Disabilities Network
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), in sending a letter to Senate leadership requesting $30 million in financial support for the Developmental Disabilities Network in the next COVID-19 relief package. In the letter, the Senators highlight the critical need to support the Developmental Disabilities Network as they mitigate the health and economic effects of the coronavirus on … Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Demand McConnell Cancel Two-Week Senate Recess, Instead Consider Critical Coronavirus Relief Bill
As coronavirus cases nationwide surge to record levels, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with 14 colleagues, demanded Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell bring the House-passed Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act to the Senate floor before recess, saying that failing to do so would be an abdication of our most basic responsibilities.“Since the House vote on the HEROES Act, states and tribes across the country have had to … Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Menendez Introduce Bill to Ensure Seniors in Federal Housing Can Live Safely, Stay Healthy During Pandemic
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today in introducing the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act - legislation that would provide $1.2 billion to ensure that federally-assisted senior housing facilities have the necessary resources to effectively protect residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Recent reports show that more than 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths have occurred in nursing homes and long-term care settings. This is unacceptable - … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen Applauds House Passage of Sweeping Legislation to Invest in America’s Infrastructure, Create Jobs, and Combat Climate Change
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, legislation to invest more than $1.5 trillion to rebuild America’s infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis, and addressing disparities throughout America. The legislation includes a number of priorities led by Senator Van Hollen in the Senate.“The current economic crisis demands a bold response to put our country on track for … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Toomey Issue Statement on House Passage of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement regarding House passage of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act: “Tens of thousands of Hongkongers are in the streets protesting and refusing to surrender their basic rights to the Chinese Communist Party. They are doing so even as CCP collaborators harshly crackdown on free speech and the right to assemble. Our bipartisan Hong Kong Autonomy Act will punish those responsible for these crackdowns and other CCP … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Hold Hearing on D.C. Statehood
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) hosted a virtual hearing to examine why Washington, D.C. should become the country’s 51st state. The hearing entitled “Statehood and Equality for Washington, D.C.” focused on the statehood process outlined in the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, as well as the need to provide voting representation in Congress and full local self-government … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Murphy, Hassan Introduce Legislation to Increase Funding for Children with Disabilities
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced legislation to increase funding for children with disabilities in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Supporting Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act appropriates $11 billion for state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), $1.2 billion for early childhood education programs, $55 million under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, and requires … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More Than $16 Million for Western Maryland Airports
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $16,002,938 in funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for airport infrastructure improvements in Western Maryland.Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field (HGR) will receive $6,304,480 for the rehabilitation of its main runway (more information here);Garrett County Airport (2G4) will receive $5,035,688 for the expansion of its apron (more information here); … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support Economic Recovery, Finance Six Months of Wages
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have introduced legislation to support the economic recovery by immediately financing six months of wages and supportive services for unemployed workers. “Trump’s negligence during the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the economic harm and loss of American jobs. Millions of Americans are still filing jobless claims each week while struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. Providing both short-term relief and a strategy … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Bay Senators Urge Support For Oyster, Clam Businesses Facing Economic Hardship Due to COVID-19
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (both D-Va.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging USDA to support local oyster and clam businesses facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter, the members urge USDA to use funds made available through the Congressional-passed CARES Act to support this industry - which is made up of many small, family owned businesses … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Wexton Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Ensure Transparency in Federal Agency Relocations
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) introduced the Conducting Oversight to Secure Transparency (COST) of Relocations Act, legislation to require federal agencies seeking to relocate to conduct and make public a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the proposed change. “Last year the Trump Administration decided to move ERS and NIFA out of the National Capital Region without any real justification. The move ran contrary to the best … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Carper Announce Amendment to Strip the President’s Ability to Control D.C. National Guard in Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) are filing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would strip the President’s authority to control the District of Columbia National Guard and grant the Mayor of Washington, D.C. the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the governors of the states and the three territories with National Guards have over their respective National Guards. The amendment follows last week’s … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Applaud the Award of More Than $10.5 Million for BWI Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) applaud the award of $10,750,084 in funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for infrastructure improvements at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport. “BWI serves as a crucial connector for Maryland’s economy. This investment will help ensure BWI’s ability to provide safe and efficient service - as well as to continue serving as a delivery point for essential … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Harris, Murray, Colleagues to Barr: Reverse Anti-LGBTQ Position, Protect Transgender Workers from Discrimination
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Ga., which held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ workers from discrimination, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) on Tuesday sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) reverse its anti-LGBTQ position that federal law does not shield transgender workers. The senators called on Barr to … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin to Trump Administration: Don’t Rip Away Health Care for Millions During Public Health Crisis
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and more than 30 Senate colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration’s “reckless” efforts to invalidate the Affordable Care Act. The Senators demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) defend existing law in court and halt its efforts to repeal health care protections for millions - including 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions — in the middle of a public health emergency. This … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on Central Asian Leaders to Release Unjustly Detained Prisoners at High Risk of COVID-19
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and 10 of their Senate colleagues called on four Central Asian Presidents to release detainees imprisoned for peaceful activism who are also at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Citing high-profile cases of detained students, activists, and human rights defenders, the bipartisan letters were sent to the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Murray, Colleagues Introduce $430 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill to Address National Child Care and Education Crises as Democrats Urge Republicans to Act on Bold COVID-19 Relief
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act (CCCERA), a $430 billion dollar bill to address the national child care and education crises and provide relief to students, families, schools, and educators across the country during this pandemic. The legislation comes as part of a larger Senate Democratic effort to spark action on bold solutions to the COVID19 … Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Maryland Board of Public Works to Reconsider Severe Budget Cuts
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) sent a letter to the Maryland Board of Public Works members - Governor Larry Hogan, State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and State Comptroller Peter Franchot - urging their reconsideration of severe budget cuts. The Members begin, “We are writing to express our concern with proposed state budget cuts under consideration by the Maryland Board of Public Works. While we understand the toll that COVID-19 has taken on the budget in Maryland … Continue Reading
